Can I Test My Security System Myself?

Yes, you can test your security system yourself. We recommend testing at least once per month to ensure that your sensors are communicating properly. This will ensure proper working order or your system. You must test your system every year to obtain an updated Certificate of Alarm (CoA).

Many end users think that they need to have a professional installer test their systems. That is not the case. In fact, we encourage our customers to test their own equipment. This provides our customers with a better understanding of their alarm systems, and it helps to keep them empowered. Every sensor should be tested at least once during the walk test. Remember to always place your system on test mode before performing a test. You can do this by contacting us or our central station partner Criticom Monitoring Services. Another option is to use the MyAlarms.com feature to place your system on test yourself.

A complete system test has many components. The first component is testing burglary sensors. It's possible that the sensors may have shifted slightly in position or gathered dust over time. Little things like these can prevent them from working correctly. A properly completed test will ensure that they are working correctly. This is particularly important for motion sensors. Motion detectors are extremely dependent upon positioning. An improperly positioned motion sensor might not detect movement in the area, or it might cause false alarms. Other intrusions sensors to test include door and window sensors, glass break sensors using a glass break simulator, and shock sensors. Testing your sirens is also important.

Another component of this process is testing your life-safety and environmental sensors. Life-safety sensors include smoke and heat detectors and carbon monoxide sensors. Environmental sensors include devices like temperature sensors and flood sensors. Each sensor follows a unique testing process. Make sure to review your device's instruction manual for more information. Additionally, you might consider testing your life-safety sensors more often because of their importance.

If you have a Certificate of Alarm to receive a discount on your homeowner's insurance, then you will need to reapply for one each year. This requires a special testing process. To get started with a CoA test, you should login to your Alarm Grid account on the Alarm Grid website. Your account page should have a button you can press to receive an email for instructions on completing the test. This button is shown in the picture below:

To perform a CoA test, you must contact Criticom Monitoring Services, put your system on test mode, and test specific Zone Types. A customer can be granted a Certificate of Alarm for burglary, fire, carbon monoxide, flood and freeze. Customers can also email support@alarmgrid.com for more information on performing a CoA test. Alarm Grid will send you an email with the new CoA after a successful test has been confirmed. The CoA will be valid for the next year.